BYD’s popularity in the Belgian market

Amid ongoing pressures in the European automotive market, Belgium – serving as a transportation hub for the continent and a high-growth region for new-energy vehicles – is emerging as a “trial market” for Chinese automakers expanding overseas. BYD has achieved counter-trend growth in this core region of traditional automotive powerhouses through technological innovation, strategic positioning, and localized partnerships. The company has not only gained recognition for both its sales performance and brand reputation, but has also established a replicable model for business expansion in Europe.

Sales soar against the trend: Emerges as new growth engine in Belgian market

In 2025, Belgium’s automotive market has suffered 19 consecutive months of year-on-year decline, with cumulative sales from January to October dropping to 357,800 units—an 8.9% decrease compared to the same period in 2024. Yet, against this backdrop of overall market weakness, BYD delivered impressive growth: in October sales reached 457 units, surging 67.4% year-on-year, propelling the brand into the market’s top 20. From January to September, it ranked as BYD’s second-largest export destination in Europe with cumulative exports of 80,838 units. Pure electric models contributed 43,836 units, while plug-in hybrid models accounted for 37,002 units, demonstrating the remarkable effectiveness of its dual-drive strategy.

This achievement underscores Belgium’s strategic importance as a key transit hub for new-energy vehicles in Europe. Leveraging Belgium’s robust port transshipment and distribution capabilities, BYD has established the country as a vital gateway to Western and Northern European markets. This move not only enables deeper penetration of the local market but also lays the groundwork for expansion across the entire continent. In Belgium, where electric vehicle penetration has risen to 36.4%, BYD is increasingly becoming the preferred brand both for consumers and businesses.

Product excellence drives recognition and awards

BYD’s popularity in Belgium stems from the strong alignment between its product strength and market demand. Winning Belgium’s prestigious automotive awards for three consecutive years is the strongest testament to the brand’s reputation: In 2022, just two months after entering the European market, the BYD ATTO 3 won the “Family EV of the Year” award from VAB magazine. Its spacious interior and low energy consumption earned unanimous recognition from 15 professional journalists and 74 consumer households. In 2023, the BYD Dolphin distinguished itself among 14 competitors with its key strengths of “best value for money and range performance,” and won the Flemish Automobile Association (VAB) “2024 Family Electric Vehicle of the Year” award. Its top score of 57 points significantly surpassed that of popular models such as the Volkswagen ID.3 and Hyundai Kona Electric.

These awards are underpinned by the robust foundation of BYD’s core technologies. Both award-winning models are built on the e-platform 3.0 and feature Blade Batteries with high safety and energy density. The Dolphin, with its 427-kilometer WLTP combined range, spacious five-seat design, and starting price under €30,000, precisely meets Belgian family users’ core demands for “affordability and practicality & safety and reliability.” BYD’s five-star Euro NCAP (“European New Car Assessment Program”) safety rating further strengthens its position in the safety-conscious European market.

Business ecosystem strategy: From product export to value chain deepening

BYD’s success in Belgium extends far beyond mere product exports, as the company has established a comprehensive business ecosystem centered on “technology & channels & scenarios.” In channel development, BYD follows a “win-win partnership with local collaborators” strategy, working with premium dealers who have deep expertise in the local market. The company has already opened an experience store in Brussels and plans to expand into key cities like Antwerp and Ghent, providing users with comprehensive after-sales and care services.

To meet the unique leasing demands of the European market, BYD has strengthened its collaboration with Ayvens, Europe’s leading leasing service provider. Belgium has been designated as one of the first four key markets for this partnership, providing customized full-service leasing solutions to corporate clients, SMEs, and individual users. These solutions include fleet management, consulting services, and end-to-end charging infrastructure support. This model not only lowers the barriers to vehicle ownership for users but also  provides a crucial option for enterprises pursuing green transformation.

In terms of application expansion, BYD has gone beyond the passenger vehicle segment, extending into the commercial vehicle sector. At the 2023 World Bus Expo in Belgium, BYD made the global debut of its 12-meter pure electric bus B12 and 13-meter pure electric double-decker bus, both built on Blade Battery chassis. The latter was co-developed by BYD and European manufacturer UNVI to meet localized requirements such as luggage storage and wheelchair accessibility, offering a range of 600 kilometers on a single charge to provide green solutions for intercity transportation. Additionally, the 3.5-ton and 4.25-ton pure electric light commercial vehicles, specifically designed for the European market, will meet local low-carbon requirements for last-mile delivery.

A model of China’s intelligent manufacturing breakthrough in Europe

BYD’s rising popularity in Belgium not only highlights the technological capability of China’s new energy vehicles but also demonstrates the successful implementation of its “localized innovation & global expansion” business strategy. Amid Europe’s electrification wave, BYD focuses on user needs through its “pure electric & plug-in hybrid” product portfolio, strong local partnerships, and comprehensive green solutions. This approach has not only driven rapid market share growth against the trend but also redefined the  perception of Chinese brands in Europe’s premium market.

As its charging network expands and collaborative ecosystem deepens, BYD continues to broaden its commercial footprint in Belgium. For companies venturing overseas, BYD’s experience demonstrates that only by deeply integrating core technologies with local needs can true competitive advantage be built in the global marketplace. The automaker’s future breakthroughs in the Belgian market warrant ongoing industry attention.